Velocipede.



A. W. RABTTIG.

. VELOGIPEDE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1910.

we inc 50% A. W. RAETTIG.

VELOGIPBDE. APPLICATION rum) 1101!.22, 19111.

1,012,707, Patented D150. 26, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 21 TINTTED STATES PATENT orrron. j

ALFRED W. RAETTIG, OF STURGIS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HOMER B. JACOBS, OF

STURGIS, MICHIGAN.

VELOCIPEDE.

Application filed November 22, 1910. Serial No. 593,661.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED WV. Burns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sturgis, Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in velocipedes.

I have shown my improvements embodied in a velocipede of the tricycle type, although it is capable of embodiment, and my improvements are adapted for use in a great variety of relations and the structural details may be very greatly varied.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved velocipede representing a horse and sulky which is guided through steering straps arranged so as to represent reins. Second, to provide a velocipede with improved driving and steering connections. Third, to provide an improved velocipede embodying the features of a figure having movable legs. Fourth, to provide an improved velocipede which may be readily adjusted for the use of children of different sizes. Fifth, to provide an improved velocipede which is simple in structure and very durable.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of my invention, a portion of one of the legs being broken away to show structural details thereof. Fig. 2 is a detail longitudinal section taken on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective showing the propelling levers and their connection to the legs, Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail perspective of the crank axle and the lever connecting links. Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section of one of the thills, showing the adjustable relation and connection for the sections thereof. Fig. 6 is an shown in full lines. Fig. 7 is a detail, partially in horizontal section, on a line corresponding to-line 77 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a detail side elevation of a modified construction in which the entire body of the figure is moved relative to the running-gear frame.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends-of the sect-ion lines.

Referring to the drawing, I provide a running-gear frame 1 preferably in the form of a sulky frame, having a seat 2 thereon and thills formed of telescoping sections 3 and 4, the rear sections 3 being tubular to receive the forward sections 4. The rear sections 3 are formed integrally with the seat supporting portion of the frame. The rear thill sections 3 are slotted at 5 and tapered and threaded to receive the clamping nuts 6, so that the thills can be readily adjusted.

The crank axle 7 for the traction wheels 8 is connected to the seat supporting portion of the frame by means of the uprights 9.

The propelling levers lO are preferably foot levers, as in the structure illustrated, provided with pivoted foot pieces 11, as is common practice. These levers are pivoted on the pivot rod 12 carried by the forward thill sections 4. The lower ends of these levers are forked, as illustrated, being formed of inner and outer members secured together above the forks by the rivets 13, the upper ends of the inner members being deflected inwardly at 14 to engage each other, thereby forming effective braces for the levers. The levers are connected to the cranks by means of links, formed of sections 15 and 16, the front section 15 being adapted to telescope into the rear section 16, and being adjustably connected thereto by means of the clamping nut 17 similar to that for the thill sections.

The figure is arranged between the thills, and in the embodiment of my inventionshown in Figs. 1 to 7, the'body 18 is rigidly secured to the thills, as by means of the screws 19, so that the bodyis not only connected to the running-gear frame by these screws, but serves as a brace for the running-gear frame. The figure illustrated is provided with swinging front and rear legs 20 and 21, respectively, the body being provided on its under side with longitudinal slots 22 into which the upper ends of the legs extend. The legs are provided with pivot pieces 23 on their upper ends, through which the pivot rods 24 are passed, the rods 24 being disposed transversely through the slots 22. By making these rods continuous,that is, arranging a single rod to serve as a pivot for both front legs or for both rear legs, the pivots are effectively supported so that the supporting strain on the pivots 'and body is comparatively slight. The pivot pieces 23 project upwardly above the pivots, and are connected by the links 25 to the upper, ends of the propelling levers so that as the propelling levers are operated to propel the velocipede, the legs are actuate The steering wheel 26 is provided with a forked standard 27, having a spindle portion arranged in a suitable vertical bearing in the body 18 of the figure. The wheel is located between the forward legs 20. On this steering wheel standard is a cross piece 29, which is arranged in a transverse. slotlike opening 30 in the body 18, the ends of the cross piece projecting at each side of the body, as shown in Fig. 7. The steering wheel is preferably returned to a central or normal position by means of a spring. In the structure illustrated, a coiled 'spring 31 is secured to the body at 32 and to the hook 33 projecting from the standard. This spring is arranged in an opening 34 in the body at the rear of the standard. The pair of steering straps, as 35, are connected. to the ends of the standard cross piece, the cross piece being provided with connecting rings 36. x

I preferably provide the figure, a horse being illustrated, with a bridle 37 and con nect the bit rings 38 of this bridle with the ends of the steering post or standard cross piece by elastic straps 39, which have the appearance of being parts of the steering straps which are disposed in position to have the appearance of reins.

A back pad 40 is preferably provided, the back pad having a check hook 41 for the check rein 42 of the bridle and terret rings 43 for the steering straps 35. With the parts thus arranged, the child sits in the sulky and propels the vehicle through the foot actuating propelling levers 10. The velocipede is steered by pulling on the steering straps, which are connected to the steering wheel, as described. When the child releases or discontinues the pull upon the straps, the spring 31 and the elastic straps 39 return the steering wheel to its normal or central position. The spring alone, or

the straps 39 alone could be made to serve this purpose or function, but as it is desirable to use elastic straps having the appear ance of reins, I prefer to use a spring in connection therewith, thereby relieving the straps 39 of undue strain and securing durability.

The traces 44 illustrated are dummies, the same being provided in the structure illustrated, merely for the sake of appearance.

The forward legs are preferably provided with a flexible joint, in the upper part, the joint in the structure illustrated consisting of a tubular flexible coupling member 45. The object of this is that when the legs are connected to be swung by means of the foot levers, if they should strike an object they might be broken or some part of the driving mechanism or connections might be injured, but being provided with flexible connections, any shock of this nature is relieved. V

In the modified construction shown in Fig. 8, I mount the figure on pivots'46, so that it has a swinging or oscillating movement, the legs being comparatively fixed. To swing the body, I provide the foot levers 10 with extensions 47 which project into slots 48 in the body and are connected to the body through the links 49, so that as the foot levers are operated the body is swung up and down with a rocking movement on itspivot 46.

Other modifications will no doubt be suggested to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates. I have illustrated and described my inventions in detail in an embodiment which I find satisfactory. I am aware, as before stated, that the structural details may be very greatly varied, but Ihave not attempted to illustrate or describe the same herein, as such variations will no doubt be readily under stood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of the running-gear frame comprising thills; a figure arranged in and connected to said thills, said figure being provided with a vertical bore-like bearing and a transverse slot intersecting the upper end of said bearing and also having a recess opening centrally into said slot; a steering wheel; a standard therefor arranged in said bearing with its upper end projecting into said slot; a cross piece arranged on said standard in said slot; an arm on said standard; a coiled spring arranged in said recess secured to the body at one end and to said arm on said standard at the other; a pair of guide rings arranged at the the combination of the running gear framecomprising thills; a figure arranged in andv connected to said thills; a steering wheel; a standard therefor; said figure being provided with a vertical bore-like opening for said standard and with a transverse slot into which the upper end of said standard projects; a standard cross piece; an arm on said standard; a coiled spring secured to said body at one end and to said arm on said standard at the other; a pair of guide rings arranged at the rear of said slot in alinement with said cross piece; and steering straps arranged through said guide rings secured to the ends of said cross piece and having yielding connections to the head of the figure.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of the running gear frame comprising thills; a figure arranged in and secured to said thills and having longitudinal slots in its under side; legs having pivot arms at their upper ends projecting into said slots; pivots for said arms disposed transversely through the body and the said slots therein; a pair of foot levers; a pivot rod therefor carried by said thills, the

' upper ends of said levers being arranged in alinement with the slots of said body and being extended above said pivot rod therefor; and links connecting the upper ends of said levers and the pivot arms of saidlegs, substantially as described.

4. In a structure of the class described, the combination of the running gear frame comprising thills; a figure arranged between and secured to said thills and having longitudinal slots in its under side with a downwardlyprojecting flange like portion at each side thereof; legs arranged with their upper ends above the lower edges of said flange-like portions and having upwardly-projecting strap-like pivot members thereon; pivots for said legs disposed transversely through the body and said slots and said pivot members on said legs; pivoted foot levers carried by said thills, said levers being disposed at the rear of said body, their upper ends projecting above their pivots; and links connecting the upper ends of said levers with the upper ends of said pivot members of said legs, all coacting substantially as described.

5. In a structure of the class described, the combination of the adjustable runninggear frame comprising a seat and thills; traction wheels; a crank axle therefor; a figure arranged in said thills; foot propelling levers mounted on said thills; connecting links for said levers to said crank axle; and means for adjusting said runninggear frame interposed between the pivots for said foot levers and said seat, for the purpose specified.

6; In a structure of the class described,- the combination with a figure having pivoted legs; a running-gear frame connected to the body of the figure; wheels; propelling levers; connections for said pivoted legs to s'aidpropelling levers whereby the legs are actuated thereby, the forward legs being formed of sections, one section of each leg being fixed to said body, the other being joined to the fixed section by a sleeve-like coupling, for the purpose specified.

7. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame comprising thills formed of telescoping sections; a seat; traction wheels; a crank axle therefor; a figure arranged in said thills and connected to the forward section thereof, said figure being provided with pivoted legs; a steering wheel mounted on said figure; foot propelling levers mounted on the forward sections of said thills; adjustable links connecting said levers with said crank axle; and connections for said levers to said pivoted legs. I

8. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame comprising thills formed of adjustably connected sections; a seat; traction wheels; a crank axle therefor; a figure arranged in said thills and connected to the forward section thereof; propelling levers mounted on the forward sections of said thills; adjustable links connecting said levers with said crank axle; and operating connections for said levers to said figure.

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a frame comprising thills formed of adjustably connected sections; a seat; traction wheels; a crank axle therefor; a figure arranged in said thills and connected to the forward section thereof; propelling levers mounted on the forward sections of said thills; and adjustable links connecting said levers with said crank axle.

10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a running gear frame, comprising seat and thills, traction wheels, an axle therefor, a figure arranged in said thills, foot power means mounted on said thills and having an adjustable driving connection with said axle, said seat portion of said frame being adjustably associated with the thill portions thereof on which said propelling means are mounted, and driving connections for said foot power means to said figure.

11. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a running gearframe, comprising seat and thills, traction wheels,

an /axle. therefor, a; figure arranged insaid In witness whereofyll aye hereunto set thills, foot power ,means mounted on said my handhand seal in;the-presenee of two thills and having an adjustable driving Witnesses.

connection with said axle, said seat portion ALERED,W.-;BAETTIG. s] of said frame being adjustably associated Witnesses: Withthe thill portions thereof on which Trmo. T. JAC BS,

Said ngrmea a m nted- L-iBneo copies of: thisipatent-may-gbe ohtai nednfor five eenjis addressing 1 ;he-v:.Gommiss iqner of iPatents.

washington l). 0-. 

